[Nml-wg] NMLify of AutoGOLE topology

[Freek Dijkstra]

Roman Łapacz wrote:

>> 1. The resulting topology file has three layers:
>>   - NML topology
>>   - dtox NSNetwork
>>   - dtox NSA
>>   I really like the clear distinction between the data plane (NML) and
>> control plane (dtox/NSI). However, I wonder if we should move this to
>> two layers, perhaps merging dtox:NSNetwork and nml:topology.
> 
> I'm not sure of this distinction if nml:bidirectionalport is STP (I have
> a problem with this: dtox:hasSTP in dtox:NSNetwork points at
> nml:bidirectionalport; moving from dtox to nml domain does not look
> right to me in this case).

I agree that this looks strange, and should be fixed. But before we can
fix it, we should decide if the above three concepts are truly distinct
and should remain as-is, or perhaps should be merged somehow.

My hope is that we can merge NML:topology with dtox:NSNetwork, but for
that to decide, at least I need a better understanding what a NSNetwork
represents.

If I'm correct, a NSNetwork represents the abstracted transport
capability of some data plane (typically under control by a given NSA).
I think that NML:Topology is able to represent that. However, it should
be said that a NML:Topology can also represent a non-abstracted data
plane. In my mind, that's not an issue, but I like to hear input from
others.

> All elements in the example belong to NSI
> abstraction (links are SDPs, ports STPs; except VCard part). To me
> distinction is between NSI topology (represented by STP, SDP, NSNetwork,
> NSA) and internal domain topology which is hidden under mapTo relation.

What do you mean with a mapTo relation? A mapping from an abstracted to
an actual topology?

One of the discussions we should have tomorrow is if NML is capable of
describing abstracted topologies or not. I personally think it can; I
also think it should: NML about exchanging topology data, and there are
substantial benefits in only exchanging abstracted topologies over
exchanging the actual topology implementation.

Regards,
Freek